Other

Fox, Bat-eared

Otocyon megalotis

The bat-eared fox has the appearance of a small dog with enormous bat wing shaped ears. They are brilliant diggers due to possessing 20 cm claws on their front feet. These are the perfect tool for digging up harvester termites which make up the majority of its diet

Statistics

Conservation status : Least concern

Shoulder height : 30 cm

Weight : 3 to 5 kg

Life span : 9 to 12 years

Gestation : 2 months

Young : 4 to 6

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The bat-eared fox is named from its 13cm tall ears which are shaped like bat wings.

The bat-eared fox will crush up small birds in its jaws and then swallow them whole including the feathers.

With an extra four to eight molars the bat-eared fox is well adapted to grinding up the insects that it eats.

The scientific name for the bat-eared fox is Otocyon megalotis, in Greek “megalotis” means “large eared”.

It is widely considered that the bat-eared fox will mate for life. The pairs are rarely separated other than when one remains in the den caring for the young.

The bat-eared fox will launch itself acrobatically into the air to catch flying prey such as winged termites.

The bat-eared fox uses its large ears like satellite dishes to locate its prey which often lives underground.

When the bat-eared fox finds its prey it will stand over the exact spot with its ears cupped poised to dig it up.